From Top Model to finance exec: Former ANTM contestant is hired as director for equity-derivative sales at Bank of America
A former contestant on America's Next Top Model has successfully and impressively made the transition from fashion into finance.
According to Bloomberg News, 31-year-old Kim Stolz, who placed fifth during the fifth cycle of the Tyra Banks-hosted reality show, has just been hired by Bank of America as a director for equity-derivative sales.
The New York native, who was the first openly lesbian contestant on the series, has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as well as doing a stint as an MTV correspondent.
From fashion to finance: Former America's Next Top Model contestant Kim Stolz (pictured left, with a friend) has just been hired by Bank of America as a director for equity-derivative sales
Strutting her stuff: Ms Stolz walked the runway for Alice + Olivia in2006 during Olympus Fashion Week in New York (pictured)
Finance isn't the only trade Ms Stolz has excelled in; she also opened an LGBT-friendly bar in New York in 2012, worked in a law firm, modeled for American Eagle and Nordstrom, and wrote a memoir that was published just this summer.
But the model says she is most comfortable in her current role. 'I've never felt more accepted than I have on Wall Street,' she told NY Mag in 2012. 'I'm one of the guys.'
Big impression: The 31-year-old New York native (right, with her wife Lexi, left), who has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, was the first openly lesbian contestant on the series
Multi-talented: Finance isn't the only trade Ms Stolz (pictured in 2013) has excelled in; she also opened a bar in New York in 2012, worked in a law firm and wrote a memoir that was published just this summer
The multi-talented brunette, who married her longtime girlfriend Lexi Ritsch in 2013, made quite the impression when she appeared on the reality show contest in 2005.
Given a voice: Ms Stolz says she's thankful she's been able to use her brief fame to speak out for equal rights (pictured in 2005, during her time on ANTM)
Viewers were given a taste of her headstrong attitude when she appeared before Tyra for the first time and told her: 'I'm out and I'm gay and I’m really proud of it,' thereby solidifying herself as a strong role model for other young LGBT women.
In fact, in 2008 AOL Entertainment Canada listed her as one of the most memorable contestants in the show's history.
And while she didn't end up winning the contest, she did make every effort to take advantage of the doors it opened.
'I always wanted to do politics and international relations and to have a life in journalism, but before ANTM I hadn't ever conceived of doing that on-air,' she told Autostraddle in 2009.
'I never cared about fame or aspired to be a public figure and I still don't,' she added.
'But I do like that I've been able to use my tiny amount of fame to change things in some ways and to speak out for equal rights and other political causes.'
Ms Stolz also says she appreciates the completely contrasting nature of modeling and activism.
'I enjoy modeling. It’s a very different thing for me from what I’ve been used to my whole life,' she said.
'I mean, you can go through an entire day as a model and not open your mouth, which is crazy.
'At times it's really stressful, at times it's very humbling.'
- Outrage as birthday laser message sparks racist remarks
- Bad kitty! Woman trying to give away 'lovely cat' gets...
- How does this man keep his cool with this extreme road rage?
- 'Subway Secret Recipe to Deceive the Customers Revealed'
- Up close with the $300m super-yacht where Bill Gates is...
- Joan Rivers: Palestinians deserve to die, they started this...
- Woman's amazing experience with a Black leopard
- Prince Harry caught on camera at fairground with friends
- This cat does not like his new leash... and REFUSES to walk
- An eye catching American Apparel ad campaign
- Daredevil looks shocked as he almost slips off structure
- Ebola victims' bodies collected from the streets in Liberia
- 'We're getting overrun and the danger is increasing... we...
- 'They have vicious plans for them': Fears for hundreds of...
- Russian students beam racist laser show depicting Obama...
- Lined up and executed, their severed heads put on display as...
- Mom and grandparents of boy, 8, found looking like a...
- Woman tracks down the mother who abandoned her as a baby......
- Obama’s monsters ball: How the White House opened its doors...
- Thanks dad! Bill Gates treats his family to a Mediterranean...
- Brazil's finest assets on show: Country unveils the 27 women...
- AC/DC biographer warns, 'I'm not expecting to see Malcolm...
- 'Fuelling Lolita fantasies and rampant sexism': American...
- 'You're dead, you deserve to be dead - you started it': Joan...